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NEW YORK—Media Marketing Solutions, a unit of WPP Group’s Mediaedge:cia, has accused Harris Drury Cohen of breach of contract in a civil lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in New York. MMS, which HDC in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., hired to handle media planning and buying for its clients, claims in court papers that HDC underpaid the shop for services rendered last year. Specifically, the suit alleges that HDC owes MMS $124,214—the difference between what HDC paid and the $234,000 “minimum guarantee” specified in the contract. MMS seeks damages in that amount, plus interest, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. The case, which was filed in February, is now before a U.S. magistrate. MMS’ attorney declined comment, and a lawyer for HDC could not be reached.

Martin Makes Finals in Staples Review

BOSTON—Four agencies advanced in the review for the creative portion of Staples’ $70 million account. The Martin Agency in Richmond, Va., Wieden + Kennedy’s New York office, and Carmichael Lynch and Martin/Williams, both in Minneapolis, emerged from a field of nine semifinalists vying for the business of the Framingham, Mass.-based office supply chain. The agencies will be briefed next week about a final strategic assignment. Incumbent Cliff Freeman and Partners in New York declined to defend. Final presentations by the contenders, scheduled for late June, must include long-term broadcast creative strategies, sources said. A decision is expected in early July.

E. James White Promotes Rolling Thunder

ATLANTA—E. James White Communications has produced a series of public service radio announcements and posters publicizing Rolling Thunder. The nonprofit motorcycle rally, in its 15th year, calls attention to prisoner-of-war and missing-in-action issues by gathering cyclists and military veterans in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day. The advertising features U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson, a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and a former prisoner of war. The agency is located in Herndon, Va.

Fletcher Martin Ewing Adds Associate CD

ATLANTA—Fletcher Martin Ewing has hired Tim Stapleton as associate creative director. Stapleton joins the Atlanta shop from The Richards Group in Dallas, where he was a senior writer. He will work on the agency’sPiccadilly Cafeterias and Suntory Water Group accounts.

Y&R Snags Vignette Software Account

SAN FRANCISCO—After a review that lasted nearly six months, software company Vignette selected Young & Rubicam here to handle its $10-15 million advertising account. Vignette, which is headquartered in Austin, Texas, produces content management software for business applications. For example, its products allow companies to sort through and update databases with new employee data and other information. Agency president and chief executive officer Penny Baldwin said the pitch involved three branches of Y&R: the traditional shop, direct marketing unit Wunderman and Mediaedge:cia.